Hit the Road: 14 songs about driving
We dedicated the May/June 2023 issue of Hagerty Drivers Club magazine to the deep connections between music and cars, including several fun lists featuring your favorite car songs. Come back often or click the Music & Cars tag to stay up to date on these stories as they roll out online. You can also jam with our custom Music & Cars playlist on Spotify, available here.
Countless songs address the freedom of driving. Among thousands of candidates, we’ll start by nominating two seemingly disparate numbers, both of which illustrate a great through line of American song—the liberating spirit of adventure and exploration that hitting the highway represented. “See the U.S.A. In Your Chevrolet” was made famous by Dinah Shore in 1950, though the jingle—written by Leo Corday and Leon Carr—was originally sung for the TV show Inside U.S.A. with Chevrolet by Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy. Later covered by Pat Boone and even the cast of Glee, after decades of service as a recurring Chevrolet jingle, its luster has by now largely worn off. Conversely, the status of the once-obscure garage rock classic “Roadrunner”—by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers—continues its ascent to musical standard-dom, its popularity growing like the sprawling suburbia that its narrator simultaneously celebrates and seeks to escape.
And, of course, no discussion of the freedom that cars offer would be complete without “Born to Be Wild,” made famous by Steppenwolf and its appearance in the 1969 film Easy Rider, which is about two meaning-seeking, drug-dealing Californian rebels on an impromptu trip across the American Southwest and South on old Harley choppers. Amusingly, this all-American standard was written by a Canadian sessions musician, Mars Bonfire (real name Dennis Eugene McCrohan). He was broke and out of work and planted in Los Angeles when he penned the timeless anthem, a ditty that turned out—in the way these things do—to be just as useful for breathless corporate marketers as for nonconformists quitting their jobs and hitting the road.
Here are 14 more songs that celebrate the freedom of driving…
Bruce Springsteen
“THUNDER ROAD”
There were ghosts in the eyes of all the boys you sent away
They haunt this dusty beach road
In the skeleton frames of burned out Chevrolets
Somewhere in Maine, Stephen King is listening.
M.I.A.
“BAD GIRLS”
Cover me, cause I’m changing lanes
That’s not the purpose of driver aids and you know it, M.I.A! They’re meant to complement proper use of mirrors, not replace them completely.
Sonic Youth
“SHOOT”
Can I have the car keys? I wanna go for a ride
Can I have the car please? I’m going out for a while
Can I have the car now? I wanna drive all around
Can I have the car, dear? I’m gonna leave this town
This feels like the lyrical equivalent of Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom?
Iggy Pop
“THE PASSENGER”
He sees the sight of hollow sky
He sees the stars come out tonight
He sees the city’s ripped backsides
He sees the winding ocean drive
And everything was made for you and me
All of it was made for you and me
‘Cause it just belongs to you and me
So let’s take a ride and see what’s mine
Someone sure is selfish.
The Allman Brothers Band
“RAMBLIN’ MAN”
Leaving out of Nashville, Tennessee
They’re always having a good time down on the bayou, Lord
And Delta women think the world of me
Yes, but the JetBlue women can’t stand you.
Wilco
“PASSENGER SIDE”
Hey, wake up, your eyes weren’t open wide
For the last couple of miles you’ve been swerving from side to side
You’re gonna make me spill my beer
If you don’t learn how to steer
Team Wilco lasted exactly one stage before the FIA banned them from ever competing in the WRC again.
Foghat
“SLOW RIDE”
Slow ride
Take it easy
Slow ride
Take it easy
Slow ride
Take it easy
Slow ride
Take it easy
Slow ride
Take it easy
I hear you, man. Now tell it to all the bozos over on r/idiotsincars.
Pearl Harbor and the Explosions
“DRIVIN’”
(Drivin’)
Back on the streets when it feels so right
(Drivin’) Drivin’
(Drivin’)
It’s just tonight, I feel the only cure is drivin’
(Drivin’) Drivin’
(Drivin’)
I’ve got no time to think of how you feel
(Drivin’) Drivin’
(Drivin’)
Behind the wheel, so now I gotta drive it, drive it
(Drivin’) Drivin’
Contrary to popular belief, this is not a song about golf.
The Modern Lovers
“ROADRUNNER”
With the radio on
I’m in love with Massachusetts
With the radio off, however, I prefer South Dakota.
The Cars
“DRIVE”
Who’s gonna hold you down when you shake?
Who’s gonna come around when you break?
Such a subtle nod to the Plymouth K-car.
Chuck Berry
“NO PARTICULAR PLACE TO GO”
Ridin’ along in my calaboose
Still tryin’ to get her belt aloose
All the way home I held a grudge
But the safety belt it wouldn’t budge
Cruisin’ and playin’ the radio
With no particular place to go
And that, friends, is why we heed recall notices.
War
“LOW RIDER”
All my friends know the low rider
Yeah, but so does Karen from the neighborhood watch, and you just know she’s got 911 on speed dial.
Gary Numan
“CARS”
Here in my car
I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
It’s the only way to live
In cars
Is it, though?
The Breeders
“DRIVIN’ ON 9” (Ed’s Redeeming Qualities cover)
Drivin’ on 9
Drivin’ on 9
Drivin’ on 9
Also not a song about golf!
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After reading this and the print article, I realize my musical tastes are more Camaro than Volvo. The more urbane offerings are new but not unwelcome.
The music topic has appeared in multiple iterations on Hagerty and country music seems to remain absent from the lists. “On the Road Again” is not sufficient to cover an entire genre. Thankfully, the category is getting attention in the comments department.
If we keep adding regional-rock to the lists, we’ll find more hard driving tunes down south. A little ol’ band from Texas did well for themselves with a ‘33 coupe. Now, take out the t-tops and turn up ‘Deguello’!
“Manic Mechanic”, perhaps? 😀
This song isn’t really about driving, but whenever I’m driving in the rain, particularly at dusk, I think of “Riders on the Storm,” by The Doors.
Another great Foghat tune that doesn’t get played enough, “Step Outside” and take a ride.
Where’s ‘Beep Beep?’ While riding in my Cadillac what to my surprise a little Nash Rambler…
Clearly you guys haven’t heard “Freedom Machine” by Junior Brown. It’s as close to perfect as a driving song gets.
I’d say that, Red Barchetta, and Highway Star are my top picks. After that it might be The Tubes’ “Driving All Night” and Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream”. That guitar riff has a serious hook on it.
Here ’tis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5PO8w5hxw
How about “Fifteen Days Under the Hood” by New Riders of The Purple Sage
NRBQ, Me and the boys. Best song about driving ever
Thunder Road-1958, “Over Me” by Segarini and Bishop, “Jessica”, the Allman Brothers, “Boom Boom”, John Lee Hooker, “Call Me the Breeze”, Lynyrd Skynyd, 1976.
Driver’s Seat by Sniff ‘n’ the Tears
yup!
My favourite is a little known song called 105 by the Canadian artist Fred Eaglesmith. “I like to drive at a hundred and five” and he don’t mean Kmh. Also check out Pontiac…” with a 3 in the tree and she belongs to me” then there is Water in the Fuel and not car related but his best might be Alcohol and Pills.
Mind you one of the lines is ” They poured ol Hank Williams from his Cadillac ”
When his best album is called Lipstick, Lies and Gasoline I suppose the car isn’t far from his mind.
Fabulous!
Plus how could you forget Queen’s I’m in Love with My Car. ” told my girl, I had to forget her…gotta buy me a new carburetor ” https://youtu.be/oaEM4JYFPfw
Here’s a newer one for the list. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfvHptKtXFo&list=OLAK5uy_kwArpdY6tPPC0jY6pBIfw_AizxQeXKhPE&index=2
I cant figure out why no one men. Road House Blues, “The Doors song , Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel .. Guess I’m too old , Har !
Sniff ‘n’ the Tears – Driver’s Seat…very cool song!
“Six Days On The Road” by Dave Dudley
Heading out to the highway……Judas Priest……….Highway Star……. Deep Purple.